Escape V8

Article number: VKPL48Freestyle | Freeride

Feel like you can do anything with the new Escape V8. Whether you want to go fast, boost big or practice every trick in the book, the V8 will act like an extension of your body, completing your moves and adapting to your needs. The winning and distinctive features of the Escape have been kept: intuitive and direct handling, super responsive feeling and no compromise on power. With the improvements on the canopy the V8’s performance stands out big!

The V8’s Laser Tech canopy is smoother and prevents creases from interrupting the airflow, which makes the kite more efficient, even in gusty conditions. With a smoother kite, the handling on the Escape V8 upgraded significantly and completes any kiter’s riding style. The Laser Tech, in combination with a higher angled profile, makes for a more stable and explosive kite: whatever you want to do the V8 will keep going strong! Throw the most radical moves, boost insane kiteloops or progress through tricks: the V8 enables any rider to boost their confidence!

What Changed?

By shortening the trailing edge (combined with the laser cut canopy), the wing profile has been tightened, overall improving the Escape’s flight.

2. Laser Tech

By cutting the canopy using computer controlled lasers, the overall shape of the kite is smoother and more precise, so that the kite becomes more efficient even in the most gusty conditions.

Result: Easier handling, more usable wind range and more pop for jumps

The Escape is a loved kite among many. So, whilst we were improving it, we made sure to keep the characteristics which make it special: being a big air and freestyle oriented kite that is still user-friendly. By shortening the trailing edge, the Escape now flies slightly more back in the window, which generates more power to use for pops, especially for unhooked jumps. By making the Escape V8 faster but still very stable, the low end has improved. This makes the V8 suitable for riders who want a kite that always feels super solid and secure.

Result: More Efficient Handling

When flying the Escape, you’ll immediately notice that it’s even more direct and responsive than before. By having the canopy laser cut using computer-aided machines, the profile is precise and super smooth. Because of the enhanced design of the Escape, the kite performs exceptionally in most wind conditions. In strong winds and gusty conditions, the V8 is super stable. Its big air and boosting capabilities have been further improved, allowing for faster riding, higher jumps and bigger megaloops. With all wind conditions, you can notice that the kite’s steering is more direct and responsive and that it moves quickly through the wind window.

Tech Specs Escape V8

+-

Triflow

Triangular panels to improve air flow

Triflow

If you look closely at the canopy on the leading edge, you will see multiple triangular shaped panels. These are called TriFlow and create a smooth and clean transition between the panels. By using this technology, the canopy segments attached to the Leading edge are now able to curve both vertically and horizontally, limiting all creases from happening on the canopy closer to the leading edge.

TriFlow creates an extremely smooth surface and clean airflow over the canopy, resulting in more stability and a better overall performance of the kite. TriFlow makes the Escape even more stable so that you can focus on jumping and boosting and riding to the max.

+-

Laser Tech

Maximum precision for maximum performance

Laser Tech

Because the canopy is being cut using computer controlled lasers, the profile of the Escape V8 has become super smooth, limiting all wrinkles from forming in the canopy. This makes the kite more efficient and improves the Escape's flight characteristics. The V8’s flight behaviour has also become more stable, direct and responsive than before.

The V8’s flight characteristics have become more efficient. Also thanks to the tighter trailing edge the kite has become more stable, direct and responsive, especially in gusty and strong wind conditions. The Escape V8 maintains its shape which significantly improves its boosting and big air capabilities.

+-

4-Strut Design

Clean middle section to boost bigger

4-Strut Design

The eighth generation Escape remains distinctive because of its 4-strut design. By leaving the kite's large middle section free from struts, the Escape is provided with even more grunt and boost that gives you all the power you need to throw even the most radical moves.

+-

Open-C Shape

Open C design to pop harder and float longer

Open-C Shape

The open C-kite shape is great to help you generate all the speed you need to jump high, change direction quickly and do tricks in the air. The kite’s wide middle section and deep profile increase the float, keeping you up there during your big air tricks and megaloops, and still provides solid upwind to keep the rider in the competition box or close to the beer cooler.

+-

Short pulley-less bridle

Power kept in check

Short pulley-less bridle

Solid bar feel and direct kite feedback are necessary to ensure maximum control no matter the conditions. Especially if your trick of choice is a megaloop or handle-pass, precise control makes the difference between landing a trick or crashing. All the power generated by the Escape V8 is kept in close control by a short, pulley-less bridle that make the kite responsive and makes it react very precisely to your commands.

Most PLKB kites come with adjustable back line settings to adjust the bar feel of the kite. Moving the bridle attachment point back towards the trailing edge will make the steering pressure lighter but will require more movement of the bar. Changing the settings is super easy, just detach the back bridle line and reattach it to your preferred setting to have more or less bar pressure and steering movement. This is a personal decision based on your riding style and experience.

+-

Adjustable pigtail position

For your preferred settings or for caretaking

Adjustable pigtail position

By moving the pigtail over the back bridle lines away from the kite, you can compensate for front line stretching. Or, by moving the pigtail over the back bridle lines towards the kite, you can compensate for a not responsive kite. This is why our kites are equipped with 4 pre-set attachment points on the back bridle lines. This will make sure you always have the same feeling even when the kite gets older.

+-

Fit all valve

Universal pump system

Fit all valve

Our kites are equipped with a ‘fit-all-valve’ for easy inflation. The bayonet fitting fits all pumps and the large valve opening makes inflation a breeze. You won’t have to spend hours and hours looking for a pump with the right connection, and will be out on the water in no time.

+-

Double stitched Leading Edge

Extra smooth, extra stiff Leading Edge

Double stitched Leading Edge

Multiple reinforcements improve durability. The leading edge and struts are built with the most durable Dacron. The entire span of the leading edge has been reinforced along the seam with double stitches to protect it from getting damaged when crashing or getting a pounding by waves, making it hands down one of the toughest kites on the market. All the bridle attachment points are reinforced with Dacron patches that are stitched on the inside of the leading edge so, even if all the power is channelled through one bridle point, the kite will not get damaged.

Size range

Gallery Escape V8

Reviews

The PLKB Escape has had us grinning in all conditions. Whether you use it for waves or flat, freestyle or freeride activities, the Peter Lynn Escape seems to excel no matter what you throw at it. You only need a few runs to realise how the 4-strut setup gives the centre of the kite a nice big floaty section, capable of sending you to the moon and giving you time to look around at you surroundings. If you want big boosty jumps - the Escape is perfect!<br />
The PLKB Escape is a confidence inspiring kite with predictable flight characteristics and plenty of adjustment for all riders to enjoy and use in all conditions.

powerkiteshop.com

The Escape isn’t just another three strut hybrid, it’s got a fun character and delivers a very engaging freeride experience. Providing a genuinely wide wind range, the Escape’s good low end drive doesn’t suddenly become too much of a handful when the wind picks up and the user-friendliness mixes with great performance for advanced freeriders, so we’d be very happy to use this as our go-to kite all the time.

The Kiteworld magazine

I love the explosiveness of the Escape! I jump higher and higher and the landing remains smooth. The kite is also very inviting to try new tricks like my goal for this season: a blind judge.

Eva Krul

Last year I have been riding the V7 and I couldn’t be more excited about the new version, the V8. With the PLKB team we’ve been testing a lot and been doing a lot of research how we could even create a better version. And to be honest.. I think we succeeded with flying colors!!<br />
The V8 got way more stable compared to his older brother, this makes it easy to throw some Big Airs and Kiteloops with a kite you can trust on. This is also a huge advantage when I am having a freestyle session, as I need to rely blindfolded on my kite when I am mid-air, upside down and about to go for my handlepass.<br />
This is the perfect kite for me to throw big kite-loops and to learn new progressive freestyle tricks.

Roderick Pijls

Characteristics

Intuitive Handling And Kite Feedback

The Escape’s smooth power and predictable handling give the rider a feeling of trust and control that inspires confidence from the first ride. The 4-strut design offers a balanced distribution of power and great stability. The big strut-less centre section gives the kite loads of grunt while the squared wingtips help with direct and responsive steering.

Direct And Responsive Steering

The Escape’s pulley-less bridle makes the kite responsive and direct. This allows you to place the kite exactly where you need it. The short bridle makes it turn fast and as tight as you want, a great feature to bust out kite loops. The fast turning also makes it easy to work the kite in lower winds, helping you to stay out on the water longer.

Big Wind Range

Thanks to its fast steering, stability, and predictability, the Escape V8 has a large usable wind range. Get out sooner and stay out longer. The wide centre panel of the canopy gives you the grunt and stability to fly in a wide range of conditions.

Freestyle Oriented Performance

The Escape’s open C-shape gives the kite a huge amount of power, especially when you send it for a jump. Thanks to the excellent bar feedback, the rider always feels in control and will be able to place the kite exactly where they need it to utilize its power to the fullest and bust out crazy moves.

Discover More

Experience all the possibilities with the new Escape V8. Proven on world stages like the World Kiteboarding League and Red Bull King of the Air, the Escape is built to offer the explosive performance you’d expect from a freestyle kite. The V8 is a boosting machine which enables anyone to progress through tricks and big air jumps. Built with accessibility in mind, from the first launch you will feel the performance potential of the Escape V8 come alive!

The 8th generation Escape maintains its high-quality materials and build, with its unique 4-strut, open C-shape design. The kite’s its wide middle section and deep profile increase the float, keeping you up there during your big air tricks and megaloops, whilst still providing solid upwind to keep you in the competition box or close to the beer cooler. All this power that the Escape generates is kept in shape by a short, pulley-less bridle that makes the V8 highly responsive and very precise. Furthermore, a few improvements have been made to make the V8 even more special. The Triflow panels on the leading edge add smoothness and stability to the leading edge. The trailing edge has been shortened so that the kite flies in the power-zone a bit more, so to generate even more power for big air jumps and for rotating tricks. The laser-cut canopy of the Escape V8 has become super smooth, limiting all wrinkles from forming in the canopy and making kite more efficient, and the flight behaviour more stable, direct and responsive than before.

The Escape is designed to connect to the rider. It feels like an extension of your body, that’s why you will feel comfortable and inspired to push riding right from the first launch. Combined with endless possibilities of style and riding, the Escape V8 will make you want to kite 8 days a week.